National Republican., 1887-08-02
GRIZZLY DAMS BEAR FIGHT.
Novel and Surprising Tactics Which
Resulted In tho LOSS OF a Fine Pelt,


The New York Sun has the following
from San Jose. CAL. Grizzly Dan, the
greatest bear killer on the North Ameri-
can continent, is In town. He is likewise
in the county jail. Dan usually lands
in jail about four hours after striking
into civilization. Civilized whisky fos
ters in his mind the delusion that
he is doctor, and the fifth glass sends him
to the nearest DOCTORS Office, where he
helps himself to an outfit of Instruments
and books on surgery. Dan struck town
last night, filled up with sheepherder's de-
light, and made raid on DIR. Thorne's
office. AT 1o:3Op m. he was found sit.
smoking DR.. Thorne's big meer-
schaum pipe, and trying to read treatise
on diseases Of the brain. DR.. Thorne's set
Of silver-plated surgical instruments were
sticking out Of Grizzly Dams side pockets.
He wore sombrero, buckskin shirt, and
Dan was taken In he recovered from his
medical mania, and waxed eloquent on the
subject Of bears. He freely admitted that
he was the biggest bear hunter on top Of
this green earth.
"Fetch on your grizzlies," said he, "and
III show ye some dirty work. Pm a bad
man ter clean up after"
The sheriff was all out Of grizzlies Just
then and could not fetch on any, much to
Dams disappointment. Dan said he had just
come in from the Santa Cruz mountains to
rest little after exterminating a prodi-
gious number Of bears. The last one he
tackled proved to be very amusing crit
ter, according to his account of the fracas.
He had been laying monarchs OF the noun,
faf Inup In oil thn off ND
weary of slaughter, he threw himself
down upon great pile Of fresh pelts
to take nap. He was rudely
awakened by terrible swipe on the
side Of his head that rolled him from the
pile of skins and about twenty feet away.
When he jumped up he found a large bear
facing him In the attitude OF boxer. Dan
could not get near his rifle, and concluded
to rush In and take his chances on a wrest-
ling match, so he said. He clinched with
the bear, and then began q terrific struggle
for the mastery. Dan got the under hold,
which made It difficult for the bear to hug
with much effect, and he kept 50 close
that the brute could not raise hind foot
to rip his abdomen-an uncomfortable
trick to which some bears resort when
they get into Co., tght n place and lose ,Ss
scrimmage Dan and the baar
kicked up considerable dust, which pre-
vented them from seeing that they were
working toward the edge Of cliff. Dan
was the first to see the brink Of the gulch.
The BEARS back was toward 1t. An idea
occurred to Dan, and he began butting the
bear on the end OF the nose with the top OF
his head. 1t was surprising form OF as
sault to the bear, and also very disturbing,
because bears nose is very tender. The
bear sneezed, yelped, and shook his
head, and the tears blinded his
wicked little eyes. He backed toward
the gulch, and Dan butted with in
creased energy. He changed his hand hold
and grabbed the bear by both ears, 80 as to
hold the nose at range. When they reached
the edge OF the precipice Dan gave the bear
one terrible smash In the nose, tripped his
heels, aud let him go. He went about half
mile In vertical direction, II Dams cal
culation is correct. The whole thing was 80
funny, Dan said, that he sat down On a
rock and laughed fit to burst. Then 1t oc-
CURED to him that he had lost q fine pelt,
and he got up and kicked himself with
vigor, because he didn't hug the bear to
death and save his skin.
When Dan gets cold sober he will not
remember anything about this remarkable
adventure, and will forget that he Is pro.
fessioual exterminator of grizzlies II
Judge Buckner let's him off he will return
to ranch near Los Gatos and herd cattle
as usual for twenty dollars month.